Welfare Programs

Means-Tested Programs and Dependency
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Means-Tested Programs and Dependency
Means-Tested Programs refer to certain federal government initiatives that are meant to uplift the financial and social welfare of needy families in America. Although they have been in place for years, there is still a raging debate on whether they are achieving their goals or merely increasing dependency on the government.
A critical analysis of this subject indicates that there is an evident pattern of growing dependency. For example, the average number of dependents was 21.8% of the total population in 2012, having risen from 18% in 2009 and 20.8% in 2011 respectively (Foster & Rojas, 2018). Furthermore, the same report indicated that the number of enrollees staying on the program for the longest period (37-48 months) continued to surge. Based on these statistics, it is suggestive that reliance in such programs is hindering self-sufficiency among families.
The stigma associated with dependency on the welfare programs proliferates from the expression of disapproval by the majority because they are shouldering an extra burden by paying high taxes. Consequently, the dependents might develop a sense of low esteem and psychological incapacitation to attain self-support (Foster & Rojas, 2018). Additionally, where the beneficiaries are stereotyped as entirely helpless, they might opt out of the program out of shame.
As a social worker, the fundamental conception is that means-tested welfare beneficiaries receive federal assistance because they have met the required thresholds.

As such, this should be the basis of my engagement with clients. Consequently, any engagement must be centred on facilitating them with non-monetary aid to empower them to overcome their inefficiencies and have a fulfilling life. Equally, it is my conception that such individuals are not the sole cause of their predicaments, but they can turn the situation around. Thus, working with them must entail guiding them to identify opportunities for prosperity and leading a stigma-free life.
References
Foster, A. C., & Rojas, A. (2018). Program participation and spending patterns of families receiving government means-tested assistance. Monthly Labor Review, 1-22.